# Bushido

Author: [Japan] Inazō Nitobe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Way of the Samurai is the masterpiece of Inazō Nitobe, a renowned Japanese educator, agronomist, and international political activist. The author wrote this book with the intention of introducing the truth of the Japanese samurai spirit to foreigners and clarifying misconceptions about it. The book is an academic work that provides a comprehensive interpretation of the samurai spirit from the perspective of a Japanese person. Although the author made great efforts to idealize the samurai spirit in the book, it is still evident from his descriptions that the samurai spirit is, in essence, hypocritical, fanatical, and cruel. Inazō Nitobe's The Way of the Samurai was completed in 1899 and was originally written in English by the author to help foreigners better understand Japan. Upon its release, the book not only sparked a strong response in Western countries and became immensely popular at the time but also became a classic of Japanese spiritual culture. The book concisely describes the origins, characteristics, and impact and future of the samurai spirit, providing a philosophical foundation for Japanese national character and militarism. Although the author offered various explanations and justifications for some behaviors and practices of the samurai spirit to persuade readers, a careful reader can easily notice that many of these arguments are highly strained and difficult to believe.